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The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between disc degeneration (DD) and physical characteristics in male collegiate rubber baseball players. Physical characteristics of 61 rubber baseball players, such as range of motion, joint flexibility, and muscle tightness, were analyzed. DD was evaluated using T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. The degree of degeneration was classified into 5 grades according to the Pfirrmann classification, and the presence of grade 3 or higher was considered to represent degeneration. According to this evaluation, we assigned all players to 2 groups, the DD group (n = 21) and the non-DD group (n = 40). The results showed that weight, body mass index (BMI), and the range of motion of the thoracolumbar region during left rotation were significantly higher in the DD group than the non-DD group (p<0.05). In conclusion, we considered that the relative weight, BMI and increased range of motion of the thoracolumbar region during left rotation have effect on DD in male collegiate rubber baseball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop the system of onset prediction for throwing shoulder injury and evaluate its short-term effects. This system provided two parameters for every player. One was the probability of future onset of throwing shoulder injury. The other was the risk factors possessed by the players. Every player was able to know the risk of onset and the tailor-made methods for preventing injury. In the first year we developed this system and in the second year we introduced this system to a collegiate baseball team. We investigated the motivation for prevention and the prevalence of injury. As a result, 96% of the players increased their motivation for the prevention and the prevalence of injury decreased. This system was useful for field players to predict and prevent throwing shoulder injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the relationship between throwing-related elbow pain and subjective assessment of disability of throwing performance in 53 adolescent baseball players. The relationship of elbow pain to various issues including disability related to throwing performance and the condition of the elbow during the baseball season were semi-quantitatively assessed by each subject. Compared to the 34 players without elbow pain, the 19 players with significant elbow pain also had severe disability related to throwing performance and worsening elbow condition. These results suggest a correlation between elbow pain and disability related to throwing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Purpose) The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors that affect the consecutive onset of throwing shoulder injury of a high school baseball team, and to calculate a regression formula that could predict the future onset. We discussed the prevention strategy. (Method) Prospective study. The subjects were 80 asymptomatic high school baseball players. We executed medical checkups and investigated who sustained a throwing shoulder injury during this half year. We performed logistic regression analysis with the medical checkup findings and the data of the onset and identified the factors that significantly affected the onset. We also calculated the odds ratio of these factors and regression formula that predict the probability of the onset of throwing shoulder injury and evaluated the regression model. (Result) 48% (38/80 cases)of the players suffered throwing shoulder injury during this half year. Among the medical checkup findings of the asymptomatic phase, past history of throwing shoulder injury, SLR, shoulder external rotation ROM, hip internal rotation ROM, heel-buttock distance and shoulder internal rotation ROM were thought to be the risk factors that were near-related to the onset of throwing shoulder injury. We calculated the regression formula using the medical checkup findings of the asymptomatic phase and we predicted the onset of throwing shoulder injury with 82% accuracy. (Conclusion) In order to prevent throwing shoulder injury, the method used in this study is useful for field players to predict the onset of throwing shoulder injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservative treatment is the principle approach used for olecranon stress fractures resulting from baseball pitching. Total rest from pitching is the core of this approach, as is the case for stress fractures in other parts of the body. Considering the risks of recurrence and the inconvenience of a prolonged ban on pitching, however, early surgical treatment is another possible option. Since 2002, we have been performing internal fixation with titanium cannulated cancellous screws and bone transplantation for professional baseball players who desire an early return to the game. We conducted a survey of our patients with regard to the types of fractures evident on X-ray, complications, the rate of bone union, the timing of a return to pitching, and the possibility of returning to the game. The survey included 11 players and 11 treated elbows, for which 6-month postoperative observation had been possible. The results indicated that a mean period of 10.4 weeks was necessary before the players could resume pitching after surgical treatment, and that 9 of the 11 players were able to return completely to the game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the association between pitch count, physical function, and pitching injury on medical examination of the elbow in young baseball pitchers. Twenty-four young baseball pitchers were evaluated in three groups : the 1st group of 5players with pitching injury of the elbow, the 2nd group of 6players having a medical history of pitching injury of the elbow and the 3rd group (control) of 13players without pitching injury. Evaluation items included range of motion (ROM : extension and flexion of elbow), carrying angle, floor finger distance, and muscle tightness (forearm flexors, triceps brachii, quadriceps femoris, hamstrings) on the pitching and non-pitching sides. A questionnaire revealed that the mean pitch count per game was 97 (maximum 137, minimum 70) ; almost all players had pitch counts higher than the recommended pitch count by the Japanese Society of Clinical Sports Medicine. The injured groups had significantly less elbow extension ROM and the medical history group had tighter forearm flexors on the pitching side than the control group. Increased pitch count was significantly associated with increased tightness of the forearm flexors. These results suggest that tests of elbow extension ROM and tightness of forearm flexors may be useful in the early detection, and possibly prevention, of pitching injury in young baseball pitchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a questionnaire survey of 1,527 baseball coaches regarding coaching on fielding techniques, and examined safe and efficient movements for catching a ball to prevent commotio cordis. As for fly balls, frontal fast grounders, frontal bound balls and while playing catch, most coaches taught players to field a ball near the face and chest. In other cases, players were coached to dodge quickly and stretch their hands to catch right-and-left fast grounders(forehanded or backhanded) , which is in line with our notion that players should be careful not to be hit by the ball in the chest when they fail to catch it. The technique of one-handed, backhand catch was taught by 65.4% of coaches, but 63.6% advised players to catch a ball against their chest when they had no time to hold the glove. While players were taught to field right- and-left fast grounders using the backhand technique, most coaches encouraged players, being unaware of the risk, to block the ball with the chest. The technique of catching a ball against the chest should not be used in terms of preventing commotio cordis. Emphasis should be placed on coaching safe and efficient fielding techniques: entering into the path of a batted ball, dodging quickly, and one-handed (forehand and backhand) catch in a stable position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the causes of injuries by comparing the contents of practice in high school baseball teams in each region. 683 coaches of high school baseball teams in five different prefectures were selected as the subjects of this study, and the number of valid answers were 223(32.7%). The questionnaire provided to the subjects included a team profile as well as the contents of practice, and history of injuries in players. The 223 subjects were divided into two regions such as the Kanto region and Tohoku-Koshinetsu region by the annual amount of snow fall. The results revealed no significant difference in the length of regular practice time in school days between the regions: however, warm-up time in the Kanto region was significantly shorter than in the Tohoku-Koshinetsu region throughout one year (p<0.001) . Also, the practice time during the fall and winter season in the Tohoku-Koshinetsu region was significantly shorter than the time in the Kanto region (p<0.001). Moreover, the result shows that the injuries in the shoulder (28.7%). elbow (24.1%), and lower back (15.5%) were the most typical injuries in high school baseball players. However, it also showed that players in different regions tended to have different injuries in different body parts. For instance, players in the Kanto region tended to have injuries due to overuse such as chronic injuries in the lower back and ankles. On the other hands, players in the Tohoku-Koshinetsu region tended to hurt their hamstrings and quadriceps mainly as muscle strain. The possible reasons for this result are different circumstances such as the contents of practice, length of practice time. and different school systems because of the different weather and climate in each region. Therefore, guidance on injury prevention has to fit each region in order to be more effective in high school baseball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using Visual Analog Scale (VAS, from 0 (no pain) to 10 (most painful)) analysis, we compared the degree of elbow joint pain between MASHITANAGE and regular throwing in 365 injured baseball players. Of the 365 baseball players who experienced elbow joint pain, 231 (63.3%)experienced inside pain, 83 (22.7%)experienced backside pain, 33(9.0%)experienced outside pain, and 18(4.9%)experienced foreside pain. In almost all baseball players, the VAS score during MASHITANAGE was lower than in regular throwing. In particular, the decrease rate of the VAS score during MASHITANAGE in growth period baseball players was remarkable. In conclusion, MASHITANAGE is an effective rehabilitation regimen for throwing injuries of the elbow joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using Visual Analog Scale (VAS, from 0 (no pain) to 10 (most painful)) analysis, we compared the degree of shoulder joint pain between MASHITANAGE and regular throwing in 299 injured baseball players. Of the 299 baseball players who experienced shoulder pain, 109 (36.5%) experienced posterior pain, 102 (34.1%) experienced lateral pain, and 88(29.4%)experienced anterior pain. In almost all baseball players, the VAS score during MASHITANAGE was lower than in regular throwing. In particular, the decrease rate of the VAS score during MASHITANAGE in growth period baseball players was remarkable. In conclusion, MASHITANAGE is an effective rehabilitation regimen for throwing injuries of the shoulder joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measured the isokinetic peak torque of shoulder rotators in baseball players with elbow throwing disorders. Isokinetic shoulder rotational strength was evaluated in 4 groups of subjects as follows: control group: without throwing disorders (18), MCL group: with elbow medial collateral ligament injury (15), OA group: with elbow osteoarthrosis (8), and UND group: with elbow ulnar nerve disorder (11). Isokinetic: tests were performed concentrically internal and external rotation at 60 deg/sec for the throwing shoulders. Test results for 4 group comparisons of peak torque for the throwing shoulders demonstrated a significant difference in external rotator values between the control group and MCL group, UND group at shoulders. The MCL group and UND group had lower values compared with the control group. This is a characteristic finding baseball players with elbow throwing pain in the medial aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate quantitatively and non-invasively the muscle recruitment of the rotator cuff muscles in baseball pitching using MR imaging. Five healthy baseball pitchers (Mean ± SD, age; 23.2 ± 1.3 yr; height: 171.8 ± 6.72cm; weight: 68.8 ± 5.4kg) participated in this study. Subjects threw 135 pitches from the hand-made pitcher's mound in 9 innings. T2-weighted images of rotator cuff muscles were obtained using a 1.5 Tesla superconducting imaging system with an E1 shoulder coil before and Immediately after baseball pitching. T2 relaxation times (T2) before and after pitching were calculated for the supraspinatus muscle, the shoulder external rotator muscle group (the infraspinatus muscle and teres minor muscle) and the subscapularis muscle. This study revealed that T2 values in all rotator cuff muscles tended to increase immediately after baseball pitching. T2 elevation would be associated with an exercise-induced increase in intramuscular water content and he limited to those muscles which were active during the exercise. In addition, greater mean force production during exercise translated into greater increases in T2 values for the active muscles. Judging from the relative T2 elevation immediately after pitching, the present study showed that there was personal equation among the muscles exhibiting the greatest T2 value after baseball pitching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This clinical study was carried out at the Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery Ishikawa Prefectural Central Hospital from 1986 to 2000. Cases of mandible fractures caused by accidents during sports activities were analyzed and results are as follows. 1. 37 mandible fractures caused by an accident during sports activities accounted for 11.3% of all the cases treated in our department. 2. Mandible fractures occurred in males, distributed between the age of 10 and 29 years in the majority of cases (32 cases, 86.5%). 3. The major sports in which mandible fractures occurred, baseball (11 cases, 29.7%), soccer (6 cases, 16.2%) and skiing (5 cases, 13.5%). 4. The most common causes of mandible fracture was personal injury, in 24 cases (64.9%). 5. In 35 cases (94.6%) the fractures occurred in one or two locations. 6. In order of frequency, fractures occurred in the mental region (35.1%), condylar (28.1%) and mandibular angle (26.3%). 7. Complications occurred in 7 cases (18.9%). Lacerations, fractures in other parts of the body, tooth fracture, tooth luxation, etc. were the main complications that occurred in many cases. 8. Surgical treatment was conducted in 24 cases (64.9%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two cases of testicular rupture are presented and 119 cases in Japanese literature are reviewed. A 29-year-old man and a 32-year-old man were admitted to our hospital with the complaint of gradually increasing pains and swelling on the right testicle. Four days and three days before admission they experienced trauma during athletic activities. The diagnosis was established preoperatively by means of ultrasonography in the first one, but not in the other. The necrotic tissue of 1/3-1/2 of testis was removed and tunica albuginea was repaired in both cases. Of 119 cases of testicular rupture in Japanese literature a peak occurs in the 2nd decade and during contact sports. The ultrasonography is an effective diagnostic modality. The rate of orchiectomy has been decreasing. The function of the affected testis is hard to evaluate.